Abortion provider to send text ‘reminders’

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the country’s largest abortion provider, has announced a scheme whereby it will send texts reminding women of upcoming appointments for abortions.

BPAS said that currently some women do not turn up for scheduled appointments either because they had forgotten or had changed their minds.

BPAS, a registered charity, currently carries out a third of NHS funded abortions and announced in its annual report that it intends to increase its ‘market share.’

A spokeswoman for the charity announced: “This will work as a reminder service, in the same way it does in some other parts of the NHS, reminding people to turn up for dentists' appointments.”

The text service is set to be launched in November.

However, pro-life advocates have heavily criticised the scheme for being opportunistic.

Dr Peter Saunders of the Christian Medical Fellowship said:

“If you have got an unplanned pregnancy and you are in a crisis you would think it would be at the forefront of your mind...

“Young people living chaotic lifestyles need personal help and support, not a text message.”

“Providers like BPAS and Marie Stopes International put women on a conveyor belt which is hard to get off. Sending text messages is an attempt to push women towards an abortion.”

Stewart Jackson MP slammed the scheme for being “morally squalid” and Norman Wells, of Family Youth Concern, also weighed in with further criticism:

“Given that one of the main goals of BPAS is to increase its market share for abortion services provision in the UK and that it regards an increase in the number of abortions performed in the past year as a 'significant achievement', it is hard to see the text messaging service as anything other than a cynical way of putting women under pressure to go ahead with an abortion when they might be in two minds about it.”

The announcement of the text messaging service comes after the recent defeat in parliament of an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill which would have ensured that women have access to independent counselling when considering an abortion.

Under current regulations abortion providers are allowed to provide counselling to women thinking about having an abortion.

Supporters of the amendment pointed out the vested interest that exists under this arrangement, as those providing the counselling receive money for each abortion carried out.

The amendment and consequent media coverage put the spotlight on the abortion industry in Britain and highlighted the feelings of many women who have been rushed and pressured into having an abortion.

Andrea Williams said:

“This plan to send text reminders exposes the true nature of the abortion industry. BPAS and others simply aim to get as many women as possible through the doors because more abortions mean more money.

“Comparing it to reminders for dentist appointments is ridiculous. Lives are at stake when it comes to abortion and considerably more thought is required over whether to have an abortion than a dental check up.”